Penguins keep division lead with win over Capitals

AP, WASHINGTON

The Ottawa Senators’ Erik Karlsson, right, vies with the Montreal Canadiens’ Brian Gionta, left, during their NHL game on Sunday in Montreal, Canada.

Photo: AFP

Chris Kunitz scored a hat-trick in the Pittsburgh Penguins’ Sunday visit to the US capital, leading a 6-3 win over the Washington Capitals that reflected both teams’ fortunes so far in the lockout-shortened season.

Kris Letang, Paul Martin and Matt Cooke also scored, Sidney Crosby had three assists, and Tomas Vokoun made 21 saves against his former team for the Penguins (6-3), who have won three straight and four out of five games to lead the Atlantic Division.

Mike Green, Carlson and Mike Ribeiro scored for the Capitals — and Carlson’s goal was an accident that took a weird carom off a stanchion along the glass.

Two-time NHL most valuable player Alex Ovechkin contributed a secondary assist on a third-period power-play goal, with Washington (2-6-1) trailing by three.

PANTHERS 4, SABRES 3

In Buffalo, New York, defenseman Brian Campbell scored on the power play with 10 minutes and 33 seconds remaining to cap Florida’s three-goal rally and help the Panthers beat Buffalo.

Peter Mueller, George Parros and Shawn Matthias also scored for the Panthers, who won their first road game of the season and snapped a seven-game road winless drought (0-5-2) dating to last season. Florida (3-5) rallied from a 3-1 deficit to win two straight games since enduring a five-game skid.

Thomas Vanek and Cody Hodgson had a goal and assist each, while Alexander Sulzer also scored for Buffalo, which dropped to 1-5-1 since opening the season.

DEVILS 2, ISLANDERS 0

In Uniondale, New York, Johan Hedberg made 22 saves for his 22nd career shutout, leading New Jersey to a win over the Islanders.

Steve Bernier scored for New Jersey in the third period and David Clarkson added an empty-netter to help the Devils snap a four-game winless streak (0-1-3).

New York (4-3-1) outshot the Devils 10-7 in a high-tempo first period, while New Jersey (4-1-3) implemented their trademark defense system in the second.

CANADIENS 2, SENATORS 1

In Montreal, Canada, David Desharnais and Erik Cole scored first-period goals and Montreal held on for a victory over Ottawa.

The win completed a sweep of weekend matinees at home for Montreal (6-2-0) after a 6-1 win Saturday over the Buffalo Sabres. The Canadians have won five straight at home after dropping their home opener to Toronto on Jan. 19.

Jakob Silfverberg scored for Ottawa (5-3-1), which were coming off a 1-0 loss at Carolina on Friday night.